HOLDEN AND CAIN LEAD OPENING SIDECAR QUALIFYING

It was the turn of the Formula Two Sidecars and there was little to choose between Ben and Tom Birchall and John Holden/Lee Cain.

The Birchalls lapped at 111.55mph but that put them fifth quickest with Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley (112.90), Alan Founds/Jake Lowther (111.89) and Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney (111.80mph) all slotting in ahead of them.

Two of the front runners had problems though with Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes stopping to make adjustments with Dave Molyneux/Harry Payne retiring at Laurel Bank but arguably the biggest story came from newcomers Ryan and Callum Crowe, the sons of former five-time winner Nick Crowe lapping at a stunning 109.76mph on their 675cc Triumph.

Second time around and Founds/Walmsley upped their pace to 114.40mph, which was only 2.2 seconds off their best ever lap of the Mountain Course, whilst brother Alan went slightly quicker with a speed of 112.35mph. Estelle Leblond/Frank Claeys and Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde both lapped in excess of 108mph with the returning Allan Schofield, with Steve Thomas in the chair, also going well at 107.88mph.

FULL SIDECAR RESULTS AVAILABLE HERE

Tickets for the 2019 events are now on sale via the Official iomttraces.com website including Official Grandstand Tickets, VIP Hospitality Experiences, and Official Entertainment Events. You can stay up to date with all the latest TT news by subscribing to the Official Isle of Man TT Races Newsletter.

Images courtesy of Dave Kneen / Pacemaker Press